The Lion Inn

The Lion Inn descritpion
An independent hotel with a continental feel, the Lion Inn has a stylish bar, an elegant bistro-style restaurant and spacious air-conditioned rooms flat-screen TVs and free wired internet.
For many years, the Lion Inn was a traditional pub. Now, after a stylish yet sympathetic refurbishment, it has been transformed into a contemporary bistro and bar with luxurious rooms with private bathrooms. All of the deluxe air-conditioned rooms have modern flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee making facilities and free wired internet access. Some of the rooms have balconies overlooking the garden, while others have direct access to the garden via their very own terrace.
Stylishly decorated with antiques and salvaged furniture, the bar has a light, contemporary style. A natural extension to the bar area, the restaurant maintains this elegant mix of old and new. Full-height windows offer fantastic views of the terrace and the menu is based on good old traditional pub food with a modern contemporary twist.
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Facilities of The Lion Inn
Pets :Pets are not allowed.
Food & Drink :Restaurant | Bar
Internet :Free!Wired internet is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.
Parking :Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services :Fax/Photocopying | Honeymoon Suite
General :Safe | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Air Conditioning
Reviews for The Lion Inn
Review 1:Everywhere was clean. Friendly staff. The evening meal food was to die for and the breakfast was brilliant. So much choice. The grounds are well kept and was above my expectations. The rooms were well decorated and had our own back door out into a garden and the beds are very comfortable. Would recommend to anyone. Great value for money.
Review 2:I did not like having to go up and order our own food. This is something you do in Mc Donald's not in a nice restaurant.
Review 3:The lovely christmas decorations
Review 4:None really only that the TV kept losing the signal
Review 5:Lovely friendly staff and good location with a nice full English breakfast Great wi-fi and love the USB charger socket
Review 6:Shower temperature changed mid shower to really hot which wasnt nice so didnt use it in the morning incase it happened again
Review 7:Room was lovely breakfast was lush The clenliness of the whole hotel
Review 8:Good, welcoming staff. I've tried quite a few hotels around this area and this is the first that I have found that I will return to; they deserve the obvious success that they are enjoying, judging by the busy restaurant. Comfortable room, good restaurant food and a decent breakfast. Plenty of parking. Very good wifi.
Review 9:Some bizarre plumbing noises during the night but it didn't detract from the overall experience which was very good
Review 10:Staff throughout the short stay were friendly and very attentive, facilities in the room were just right.
Review 11:Our room was perfectly decorated, great facilities and very clean! The food in the restaurant was just beautiful and very reasonably priced considering the quality the staff were also fantastic and nothing was too much trouble.
Review 12:Bathroom wasn't the cleanest, and if you're a tall person the shower will be cleaning your shoulders as it is very low.
Review 13:Was an absolutely lovely building very pretty to look at. Very easy to find as I sm not from the area.
Review 14:Everything was perfect. It was out Wedding night. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The music in the room was nice touch. Peaceful setting!! Would definitely recommend.
Review 15:Staff were knowledgeable and helpful, room was comfortable and well appointed and we had access to a small private terrace area shared with adjacent ground floor rooms - the first floor rooms had balconies overlooking. Food menu was varied and the restaurant buzzing.
Review 16:Noisy dining room could be improved with soft furnishings. I don't like fixed-head showers. Not sure if there was a lounge anywhere.
Review 17:The staff were all helpful and friendly and natural. Good bedside lamps for reading. Powerful shower. Good mirror for taller people. Linen napkins.
Review 18:We had a free upgrade to the bridal suite as I had booked the last room. Was absolutely lovely and was a real treat. The food at the restaurant was fantastic.
Review 19:Nothing we didn't like. Had a quick drink in the bar whilst waiting for taxi and the area very busy as lots of people waiting for good - I guess and have heard that the food is great!!
Review 20:We were just staying for one night attending a party about 10 minutes away. Lovely place, nice rooms and great breakfast. Staff were friendly too.
Review 21:When on my own like to have room service, however this facility is not available - maybe could provide a tray and you cllect yourself!
Review 22:Such a surprise, fantastic room and food exceptional
Review 23:No full length mirror in the room. Therefore difficult to check yourself after dressing.
Review 24:the style of the rooms and the cleanliness, it was very comfortable and contempary
Review 25:Food was excellent- evening meal and breakfast. Room was comfortable and warm. Staff friendly and approachable at all times. Very good- would recommend to anyone. Could not rate the property because the boxes on this questionaire were all in either Japanese or Chinese and I cannot read either. But it was very good!
Review 26:Parking due to the popular restuarant (although Friday night close to Christmas)
Review 27:The location of the hotel is excellent for visiting Chelmsford with close and easy access to the A12. The room was good quality while the staff were excellent. Despite the restuarant being very busy no noise could be heard in the room nor were there any food smells from the kitchen. Unfortunately we were unable to take advantage of what appeared to be a very good restuarant (judging by its popularity) for dinner.
Review 28:We'd left home early for a wedding and was told at 10.30 we couldn't even get a coffe & nowhere would be open. We drove 2 minutes to the Premier Inn & had a fab breakfast.
Review 29:The room was lovely, very modern & comfortable. The staff went out of their way to be helpful & breakfast was superb.
Review 30:Nothing
Review 31:Stayed for 1 night room 7, lovely bed, nicely decorated room with a nice bathroom also. We ate in the restaurant, the food was 1st class. Although the restaurant was full we were served our meal without any delay, price was very reasonable, in future we would not hesitate to drive to The Lion Inn just to eat.. Lovely place
Review 32:Loud music from kitchen woke us up at 7.30 am on a Sunday. Staff feigned ignorance when we complained. Restaurant is an awful self service, Harvester type affair. No parking reserved for hotel guests. Could not park arriving early Saturday evening. Nightmare trying to find with GPS.
Review 33:Cute decor
Review 34:Noise isolation from outside was good but a bit poor from the side of the corridor.
Review 35:The room was very comfortable. Friendly staff and most of all the restaurant was excellent.
Review 36:There isn't anything to dislike.
Review 37:We stayed as part of a wedding group and were pleasantly surprised at the excellent standard of this hotel. The staff were very friendly and helpful, accommodation impressive with a spacious room, a very comfy bed, neutral decor, flat screen tv and fab power shower. Breakfast stunning and although we didn't eat a meal in the main restaurant we have been told by family members that the food is excellent.
Review 38:Staff were excellent a lovely place to stay & superb breakfast
Review 39:The general ambience and atmosphere of the restaurant and both food and service were good
Review 40:good atmosphere; helpful staff
Review 41:good quality accommodation, efficient dining and excellent breakfast
Review 42:Very friendly, great food
Review 43:Beautiful hotel - didn't feel like a hotel at all. Would go back again! Highly recommend.
Review 44:Lovely bedrooms. . Comfortable and we'll equipped
Review 45:Loved staying at this hotel it's very chic and staff Are Very Kind And Welcoming. Can't wait to go back
Review 46:No air conditioning
Review 47:We stayed in one of the new rooms. The décor was beautiful, rooms very clean! Bathroom was lovely with a waterfall shower.
Review 48:no air con in room
Review 49:The location was good for our purpose of being in the area.
Review 50:Staff friendly and helpful Restaurant food excellent , room one of the best
Review 51:Lack of hotel only lounge / bar
Review 52:Third time of staying there, perfect location, comfortable beds and good restaurant on site
Review 53:Location Bedroom Restuarant
Review 54:nothing
Review 55:everything
Review 56:French style and a privately run.
Review 57:Very busy
Review 58:Good food
Review 59:No room service
Review 60:Modern rooms Good breakfast
Review 61:I liked it all
Review 62:Restaurant, food, service, staff Rooms, bed, bathroom, shower, decor
Review 63:Very comfortable room, friendly staff, excellent food
Review 64:Breakfast a little lukewarm
Review 65:rooms beautifully decorated and the bed was super comfy!
Review 66:The attention to detail ,excellent food and friendly staff
Review 67:Everything
Review 68:Too short a stay :(
Review 69:We visit Chelmsford from the US regularly to visit family and have been generally disappointed with the quality of hotels - It was our first stay at the Lion Inn and it exceeded all our expectations Great rooms, comfortable and quite Great location .. but you need a car Great food in the restaurant Outstanding Service Air Conditioning
Review 70:The whole Inn is top quality & the restaurant excellent. I had my leaving do the night I stayed. It is a lovely place. The bedroom & ensuite were very impressive. Breakfast was superb. I would recommend the Lion Inn anyone wishes to indulge in a nice bit of luxury.
Review 71:Slightly over priced...unless you book in at 3pm and out at 11am so you get value for money. And I was very saddened there was no room service for breakfast meaning I had to leave my lovely room earlier than I would of liked.
Review 72:The room was beautifully presented, clean and comfortable. They do a lovely cooked breakfast. The shower is lovely and the view we had was amazing looking over the fields.
Review 73:The restaurant was so busy that it was difficult to enjoy a drink at the bar as a guest
Review 74:The hotel was beautifully decorated and furnished making it feel a luxury to be staying there
Review 75:Liked everything but a slightly bigger bed would have been the icing on the cake.
Review 76:Loved the atmospheric dining & very homely rooms. Decor tasteful and unusual. Chic yet quirky. Would definitely stay here again and recommend to friends.
Review 77:Could be a little cheeper - paid the price as a special occasion but still think a little over priced.
Review 78:Lovely relaxing environment, all u need for a stay. Warm and comfortable room. Breakfast included.
Review 79:Staff were very helpful and polite Room was amazing, stylish, cosy and very clean Food was amazing and excellent value for money 10/10.
Review 80:Altough booked in as a couple my son and family joined us for a Sunday evening meal. His young children were well looked after, as were the adults. We have stayed at the Lion on several occasions and will continue to do so.
Review 81:We loved staying at The Lion. The staff were amazing. Friendly, helpful,efficient. Very comfortable and attractive hotel. Wonderful ambiance. Great restaurant.
Review 82:Everything was lovely . Maybe a full length mirror in bedroom would have been a good touch.
Review 83:Excellent service/ High quality food and a very cosy hotel . We enjoyed lingering with a lovely glass of wine . Room excellent with organic bath products and warm cosy towels . Fabulous !!
Review 84:Comfortable large double bed; clean everywhere; efficient friendly and very helpful staff; god breakfast. We did not eat there apart from breakfast, but family members who live in Chelsmsford report that the food is very good.
Review 85:The fact that our schedule didn't allow us to stay longer.
Review 86:The staff were welcoming, friendly, helpful and happy: something that is rare in the hotel and leisure industry. The accommodation was immaculate. Beautifully decorated: individual and chic. The bar and restaurant staff were knowledgeable, helpful and had a sense of humour. It was our first visit to The Lion but it most certainly be our last. Absolutely perfect.
Review 87:No full length mirror in room is the only thing I would of liked
Review 88:Welcome at reception was warm and friendly she showed us to our room and advised what time dinner was on til.. Our room was perfect for what we wanted with a door leading to an outdoor sun catcher garden We had an amazing meal followed by a huge desert! The staff was very friendly throughout and the atmosphere was very positive helped by the mood lighting which gave it that slightly romantic feel. Ended the night in a comfortable bed, fully working air con which is bliss on the hottest day of the year On our departure morning I was happy to use the power shower and the complimentary soaps etc Lovely stay we will be back
Review 89:The slow sevice at breakfast and my daughter found an alarming object in a drawer in her bedroom -the drwaers should have been checked
Review 90:really nice room the bed and the bathroom was very nice-the service at breakfast was slow -lack of staff when x5 couples turnrd up at the same time
Review 91:No iron in room. Though Avaiable if you need from reception.
Review 92:Absolutely fantastic hotel and food. Probably the best all round experience I have ever had for a stop over whilst working in Essex. Great food, great room and just a great setup. I stay in many hotels within the UK and Europe so my standards/expectations are very high. Breakfast was perfect and staff very friendly but not intrusive.
Review 93:We only have one disappointment. On the day we arrived we went ro our room to get changed for the wedding and there was a workman scraping the windows and door to our room so we had to close all blinds which blocked out the sunlight whilst we were getting ready so it was quite dark in the room but apart from that everything was excellent.
Review 94:the staff were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. The room was clean and comfortable. The breakfast was very good.
Review 95:From the welcome,to the meal in the restaurant, to the comfort of the room and the quality of the breakfast, everything was of high quality and effeciency.
Review 96:Quality hotel. Excellent staff and menu. Ideally located for those wishing to visit London with fast road and rail links. Will definitely return again.
Review 97:A fantastic hotel! Couldn't fault anything about it. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the decor/design was beautiful. Would highly recommend and definitely stay here again. Thank you!
Review 98:No air fresheners in room resulting in a stuffy and damp feel to the room. No shower gels No instant coffee sachets Room curtains let too much light in the morning
Review 99:Excellent service. Good food.
Review 100:The only negative comment would be that the bar seating area in therestaurant is quite noisey.
Review 101:The Lion Inn is an extremely nice place to stay. The quality of therooms is high and they are very comfortable. The breakfast and servicewas excellent. The staff are very polite and helpful.
Review 102:The noise level in the dining room. It was like being shaken in a tindrum with a load of dried peas to a Rolling Stones record. Not good Isuggest for the 'ard of 'earing!
Review 103:Pretty much everything- great staff, nice room good food, bedunbelievably comfortable, excellent bathroom and the best smoked salmonand scrambled egg ever eaten in a hotel,(and I stay in a lot of hotels.0
Review 104:I loves everything about the lion inn,the water feature outside,whilst having breakfast,its very calming,the room was spectacular,the bed was comfortable loved the outlay of the room,the food was served quickly,was hot,and just melted in your mouth,the staff were very pleasant,the stay as a whole was more than excellent,and the lion inn is a spectacular building!I have already made recommendations to friends,and would most definitely stay again,in fact I didn't want to return home.
Review 105:I am a very fussy traveller but was pleasantly surprised. The attentionto detail in the rooms and the classy decor made it an ideal stay. Ihighly recommend it. Great breakfast too.
Review 106:going to the bar to order a meal,
Review 107:staff very good.
Review 108:Needs a quieter lounge for hotel guests
Review 109:Comfortable bed, very clean and friendly / helpful staff
Review 110:Restaurant, decor and service
Review 111:first class, top rate hotel, the food was also excellent.